This week’s protest at MCAST precisely demonstrated the sentiment that lecturers currently feel towards the Union negotiating on their behalf.
Several posters, as seen in the photo published by the Times of Malta, clearly expressed the anger and frustration directed at MUT.
“MCAST: My Collective Agreement is terrible” – This poster is a clear admission that lecturers are dissatisfied with the previous collective agreement signed by MUT President Mr Bonnici himself back in 2018.
“My Collective Agreement Simply Tiring” – This clearly indicates that MUT’s agreement has not met the expectations of hard-working lecturers.
“Underpaid, Overworked & Ignored!” – MUT and MCAST had previously boasted about the 2018 collective agreement, claiming that lecturers would see an increase in salary, resources, and standards. Quite the opposite was evident on the day of the protest.
The UPE wishes to remind lecturers that on July 27th, 2018, a joint statement from MCAST and MUT stated the following: (Read more)
“The renewed financial package sees a substantial increase in the salaries of MCAST academic staff, together with improved working conditions, thus recognising their level of professionalism when compared to other academic institutions.”
Once again, lecturers are at the mercy of MUT’s agreement. One cannot help but question why lecturers have allowed MUT to negotiate once more, given their dissatisfaction with the previous results. Lecturers and students need to question whether external factors are preventing the MUT from reaching an agreement.
The same President, the same MUT delegates…basically the same cooks who, back in 2018, spoilt the broth for all.